Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id RAA18836; Mon, 26 Aug 1996 17:06:08 -0400 (EDT) Date: Mon, 26 Aug 1996 17:06:08 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) Message-Id: <199608262106.RAA18836@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #440 TELECOM Digest Mon, 26 Aug 96 17:06:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 440 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Privatizing The Big Lie (Will Roberts) Book Review: Dictionary of PC Hardware and Data Communications (Rob Slade) Communications Unleashed, Oct 19-20, DC (Susan Evoy) Nine Digit Phone Numbers (Bob Tabac) Optus Announces Australian-First ATM Enhancement (Prabha Aithal) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 26 Aug 1996 14:46:28 -0300 From: The Old Bear Subject: Privatizing The Big Lie Lars Poulsen wrote: > ...telephone companies complaining to the regulatory > authority that home access to the Internet through modem dial-ins to > a local ISP places an undue burden on the local exchange facilities, > and the telco wants a regulatory change to put an end to this "misuse" > which is caused by the availability of flat rate local calling ... The continuing saga of the RBOCs war on flat rate pricing continues in spite of the public's clear preference for unmetered telecom services. The latest salvo appears to be a study conducted by some of the RBOCs which purports to demonstrate that the internet access is a threat to the public switched telephone network. The battle lines between the telephone people and the internet people are being drawn as sharply as the divisions between Stalin's Soviet bloc and the NATO alliance. In fact, the RBOCs' lastest strategy seems to be an adaptation of "the big lie" which worked so well during the early years of the cold war in the 1950s: Find a shred of truth and build a fantasy around it which people will believe because there is truth at the core. The RBOCs shred of truth is the blocking issue, which they are confronting because conventional telephone switches were never engineered for a large percentage of available switched circuits to be kept open for hours and hours on end. Indeed, this use of a switched network to provide fixed ponmt-to-point links is both costly and inefficient. Simply put, it is just a bad use of switching technology. The fantasy, however, is woven from the proposed solution of 'surcharging' ISPs (or customers) on a measured rate basis. While this may generate revenue for the RBOCs, it will do nothing for the load on the public switched network, except insofar as it may reduce some demand -- a fact that has been neither economically modeled nor discussed quantitatively by the RBOCs. The implication is that a two-cent per minute charge will reduce demand and will provide revenue for "additional capacity" -- but there is no demonstration that this pricing is correct, no justification for throwing more switched voice network capacity at the problem, and no consideration of public policy issues of whether supressing demand is in the best interest of developing an information infrastucture in this country. In addition, the RBOCs seem to ignore that their adopting this pricing policy will serve only to accelerate the entry of new Local Exchange Companies by raising prices and, hence, the profit margins which make the market more attractive. Lars Poulsen's proposal about spreading the load across the telco central office switch is clever but falls within the realm of continuing to use the public switched telephone network for a task which it does marginally well at best. After all, modems, even 33.6kbps v.34/v.42bis modems, are a work-around to force digital data down a network which was engineered for analog voice. Of course, the flip side is also true. The popular press is all excited about internet telephony, where you take a service which is highly efficient over the public switched network, and jam it onto the packetized digital network -- a network which was never engineered for basic telephony functions like signaling or for optimizing routings which do not introduce audible delays. There is absolutely no technological sense in this; it is purely a rate arbitrage play based on an economic model which is in transition. A more rational approach would be to restructure the basic local loop between subscriber premises and the frame at the telco central office to digital facilities (over existing phyical media) and to grab digitized data (internet, video, home security, etc) there, at the CO end of the local loop, BEFORE it enters the switched portion of the network. Such digital data then would be handled on appropriate non-switched and routed facilities, while voice telephony, digitized between the customer premises and the central office, would be delivered to the telco switch and continue to be handled via the more appropriate switched network. Consider the following: "Jack Nadler, counsel for Information Technologies Assn. of America (ITAA), said unbundling subloop would alleviate problem because data traffic could avoid going through switch. Data packets have address labels on them and don't need switches to be directed to their destinations, he said. 'There is obviously a need for fundamental access charge reform,' he said. 'Simply taking the subsidy-ridden regime and dumping it on ISPs and saying they should pay like IXCs, that is not reform'." A major obstacle is that the RBOCs are heavily invested in a business model which is constructed around metered pricing. To rethink that model is inherently risky to their bread-and-butter business -- much more so than blowing smoke about access charges to delay the inevitable, while developing new lines of business in wireless and video dialtone, etc. The FCC regs, which were published two weeks ago, mandate that the established existing local exchange companies make their local loop facilities available to new entrant LECs at cost plus a reasonable mark-up. Note that this is the existing company's cost and not a cost based upon what it would take to construct equivalent facilties from scratch. This is to allow new entrant LECs to get a foot-hold in the market. (A company called RCN has already announced its intent to provided a service offering including voice, data, video, etc. to customers in Boston and New York, targetting condo complexes, hospitals, apartment buildings, and universities where digital-to-analog conversion can be handled efficiently at a single point of entry to the customer premesis.) Spreading the Big Lie about ISP connections blocking telco switches does nothing to solve the problem of meeting internet service demand. And it takes the focus away from the subscriber loop, the so-called last mile to the customer -- where, more likely, the most important battles will be won and lost. Cheers, Will Roberts The Old Bear ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 26 Aug 1996 10:18:57 EST From: Rob Slade Subject: Dictionary of PC Hardware and Data Communications Terms" by Shnier BKPCHDCT.RVW 960606 "Dictionary of PC Hardware and Data Communications Terms", Mitchell Shnier, 1996, 1-56592-158-5, U$19.95/C$28.95 %A Mitchell Shnier %C 103 Morris Street, Suite A, Sebastopol, CA 95472 %D 1996 %G 1-56592-158-5 %I O'Reilly & Associates, Inc. %O U$19.95/C$28.95 800-998-9938 707-829-0515 fax: 707-829-0104 nuts@ora.com %P 532 %T "Dictionary of PC Hardware and Data Communications Terms" Given the title, it is difficult to say what could *not* be included in this book. And, given the size of other, similar dictionaries, and the comparative length of the entries, something must be. It is, though, very difficult to say what might be. Most of the information and terms are here, although they might be hard to find. Hamming code, for example, doesn't have a listing, although it is mentioned under the entry for ECC (error correcting code). On the other hand, I didn't find any mention of viruses at all. The material is quite detailed, with some entries covering eight pages or more. There is a good level of technical detail. The definitions and explanations are reliable (although I did wonder why a fellow Canadian had never heard of a British Naval Connector, and Kermit was named for a Muppet calendar, not because it was "easy to work with and fun"). The text is easy to read, and well leavened with humour, such as the entries for RTFM and G.723. copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996 BKPCHDCT.RVW 960606. Distribution permitted in TELECOM Digest and associated publications. Vancouver ROBERTS@decus.ca | "My son, beware ... of the Institute for rslade@vcn.bc.ca | making of books there is Research into Rob.Slade@f733.n153.z1/ | no end, and much study is User .fidonet.org | a weariness of the flesh." Security Canada V7K 2G6 | Ecclesiastes 12:12 ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 26 Aug 1996 11:31:05 -0700 From: Susan Evoy Subject: Communications Unleashed, Oct 19-20, DC COMPUTER PROFESSIONALS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY presents a conference on COMMUNICATIONS UNLEASHED What's At Stake? Who Benefits? How To Get Involved! OCTOBER 19-20, 1996 Georgetown University - Washington, DC Co-sponsored by the Communication, Culture, and Technology program of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Georgetown University SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 KEYNOTE SPEAKER - RALPH NADER (invited); consumer advocate and founder of the Center for the Study of Responsive Law; Green Party presidential candidate THE COMMUNICATIONS TSUNAMI - In today's world of corporate mergers and the mega-packaging of services, what's at stake for consumers and who will represent their views? What is the meaning of "public interest" in the new digital environment? Panelists will examine the ramifications and effects of the Telecommunications Act in such critical areas as universal service, the opening of local exchanges to competition, the provision of fair pricing rules, and the stewardship of the dazzling array of emerging broadband services. TOOLKITS FOR ACTIVISTS - Media giants and merger-mania dominate the public dialogue on communications issues. How can activists at the local, state, and national levels develop an effective voice in the currently one-sided debate over changes in the marketplace and the regulatory environment? How can community-based organizations use the Internet as a tool for online organizing, enhancing public interest campaigns and increasing the efficiency of their internal communications? THE INTERNET: COMMERCIALIZATION, GLOBALIZATION, AND GOVERNANCE - The accelerating commercialization and globalization of the Internet raises new and divisive problems of governance and control that will profoundly affect the future of the net and all of its users. What is the outlook in key areas like pricing schemes, access to information and services, and Internet telephony? INFORMATION RIGHTS - New information technologies and the policy responses to them raise many critical issues related to information rights on the Internet. Panelists will discuss these topics in detail, including the Communications Decency Act and freedom of speech online, copyright protection, and threats to privacy from the collection of personal information online. COMPUTERS AND ELECTIONS: RISKS, RELIABILITY, AND REFORM - There are widespread, legitimate concerns about the accuracy, integrity, and security of computer-generated vote totals. Panelists will explore the technical, social, and political origins of these concerns within the context of today's little-scrutinized election system. They will also make recommendations for changes in the areas of technology, election law, accountability, and oversight. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20 will feature WORKSHOPS on: communications access and the consumer; broadcasting and mass media; civic networking; media tactics and outreach; Internet legal issues; and using the Internet for political action. The 1996 CPSR Annual Meeting will take place Sunday afternoon. All conference attendees are welcome. ****************************************************************** REGISTRATION --- Space is limited so register early. Name ______________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________ City_________________________________State________Zip______________ Telephone____________________________E-mail________________________ Payment method: Check___Visa___MC___Card #___________Exp. Date_____ Early registration: through 9/19 Late registration: postmarked after 9/19 Early registration Late registration CPSR $60______ $70______ Non member $85______ $95______ New CPSR membership ($50 value) & registration $105______ $115______ Low income/student $25______ $35______ Saturday night buffet $25______ $30______ Additional donation to further CPSR's work ________ Total enclosed: ________ Scholarships are available. For more information contact the CPSR national office at 415-322-3778 or cpsrannmtg@cpsr.org. Make check payable to CPSR. Send the completed registration form with payment to: CPSR, PO Box 717, Palo Alto, CA 94302-0717. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE CONFERENCE, CONTACT CPSR at 415-322-3778, 703-739-9320 or cpsrannmtg@cpsr.org or http://www.cpsr.org/home.html **** http://www.georgetown.edu/grad/CCT HOTEL AND TRAVEL INFORMATION The GU Conference Center has reserved a block of guest rooms operated by the Marriott and located in the Leavey Center on campus. The $85 a night rate applies until September 30. For reservations call the GU Conference Center at 202-687-3200. The closest off-campus hotel is the Holiday Inn (202-338-4600) located at 2101 Wisconsin Avenue NW where a block of rooms at $109 a night has been reserved. This rate applies until September 17. Rooms are limited so make your reservation as early as possible. United Airlines is the official airline of the conference and is offering a discount to attendees. For reservations call the United Meetings Desk at 800-521-4041. The Meeting ID Code is 503ZV. There are many restaurants and shops located in the historic neighborhood adjoining the Georgetown campus. The events on Saturday will take place in the Bunn InterCultural Center (marked on the map as ICC). This building is not accessible by car. Participants have several choices: 1- Take the blue or orange line Metro to Rosslyn and walk over the Key Bridge to campus (probably about a 15-20 minute walk). There is also a Georgetown blue and gray shuttle bus that runs from the Rosslyn (and Dupont Circle) metro station to the campus. 2- Take a taxi to the main campus entrance at the corner of 37th Street and O Streets, NW. 3- Take one of the many city buses that stops at the main campus entrance to Georgetown, 37th and O Streets, NW. 4- Drive and park in the Campus Parking Lot #3 (accessible either off M Street, just west of the Key Bridge, or at the end of Prospect Street) which is free on the weekends. This is the lot with the large P in the lower left-hand corner of the map. Participants can then walk up the driveway and around to the ICC building. Signs will be posted for your convenience. ************************************ Susan Evoy * Deputy Director http://www.cpsr.org/home.html Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility P.O. Box 717 * Palo Alto * CA * 94302 Phone: (415) 322-3778 * Fax: (415) 322-4748 * Email: evoy@cpsr.org ------------------------------ From: btabac@dmr.ca (Bob Tabac) Subject: Nine Digit Phone Numbers Organization: Dynamic Metro Resources Date: 26 Aug 96 17:49:37 UTC Nine Digit Local Numbers With the introduction of nine digit phone numbers and keeping the existing three digit area codes we will be able to collapse many area codes. For example several cities already have several area-codes; by collapsing the area codes we can have all numbers within a city within one area code. British Telecom is already considering this for London's 171 and 181 areacodes. This procedure can also be used so that there is one area code per state/(province/territories)/other countries. An area code such as 495 etc or whatever could be used for each state! For example in Ontario: if nine digit numbers is established ie 416 number 555-2333 could become 41555-2333 ie 905 number 555-6777 could become 90555-6777 This new areacode (three digits) with nine digit local numbers could collapse many numbers including the following in Ontario: 416, 905,705,613 and whatever! This can be used on other states, and provinces also. A nine digit system will give back area codes a truly regional look! Such a system would last us much longer than four digit area codes. Expanding the system can be done with no pain!!! Just use unused numbers. And there is no pain of changing area-codes for a very long time once this system is established! 1+ dialing ----------- Also 1+ calling to most people means toll; let's keep it that way! ie do not force us to dial 1+ for local calls; many might dial a long distance call without knowing! Using 1+ for everything would keep companies such as AT&T, Sprint, MCI happy since they could get more business from calls people think were local! ------------------------------ Date: 26 Aug 1996 17:41:10 +1000 From: Prabha Aithal Subject: Optus Announces Australian-First ATM Enhancement Optus Announces $50 million Enhancement to Network Optus Communications plans to invest $50 million in an Australian-first ATM enhancement to its existing network. This will provide Australians with advanced telecommunications services not currently available through existing networks - including competitive access to the Internet. Optus has already committed $30 million to the project. The new OptusNet ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) technology will allow Optus to maximise its existing investment in a national integrated telecommunications network. ATM is widely considered to be the most advanced telecommunications technology available in the world today. Complementing the Optus' existing SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) network, which is already one of the most efficient in the world, the ATM addition will allow Optus to use its existing SDH network more efficiently by integrating voice, data and video traffic over the one network at high speeds, and development of new applications affecting all Australians, such as: high speed competitive Internet access and Frame Relay, plus high speed data transfer for applications such as very fast transmission of medical records and x-rays between doctors and hospitals -- a situation where speed can be critical. Five year deal signed: Optus has signed a five year supply agreement with Newbridge Networks Corporation for the supply of ATM and Frame Relay equipment. The Newbridge equipment will meet Optus' current network needs, plus provide flexible platform to support future services and products such as high speed Internet home banking and shopping. These services would be delivered to customer premises via fibre optic cable or via the Optus Vision access network. Mr Phil Jacobs, Optus Chief Operating Officer, said: "Optus will be first to market with a commercial offering for ATM in Australia - a development which has been long awaited by the corporate and government market. "Optus' new ATM backbone network is an investment which will pay dividends in allowing Optus to maximise use of its existing network plus offer our customers a 'pay for what you use' approach to selling bandwidth. "With the core SDH network Optus has, customers pay a fixed price for a fixed level of capacity which may not be not utilised 100 per cent of the time. This is due to the 'bursty' nature of video and data traffic," he said. "The ATM enhancement allows customers to buy flexible bandwidth and only pay for what they use. ATM offers efficiencies to the carrier too, such as, needing only one switching and transmission fabric and one network management system. "Other benefits of ATM are the exciting future services which the technology can provide. The fact that we can now send huge amounts of data around the world at very fast speeds has enormous implications for businesses such as currency traders when information received five minutes earlier or later can mean thousands of dollars. "The immediate applications of ATM are for corporate and government customers such as banks - who send large amounts of data between offices overnight - and universities - who can use real-time videoconferencing as a training tool; linking separate widely-spread audiences for a comparatively low cost," Mr. Jacobs said. Timing for ATM installation: Verification tests of the Newbridge equipment have been completed and Optus will deploy the ATM technology in its Sydney and Melbourne networks from October this year. Optus' internal test network will be deployed by this time and used for trialling with customers. It will then be extended to Adelaide around December of this year and then to Canberra, Brisbane and Perth in the first half of 1997. Newbridge Networks is a world leader in designing, manufacturing and servicing a complete family of networking products and systems in more than 75 countries around the world. The roll out of the Optus ATM network in Australia over five years means that Newbridge will invest an estimated $10.7 million in the Australian market. This has the potential for generating an additional 28 jobs in the region. Initial services offered by the OptusNet ATM network will be: LAN connection (eg 10baseT, FDDI), Internet and Intranet transport, WAN services (eg frame relay) Video (conferencing quality), fixed data services (2 Mbit/s - 45 Mbit/s) and PBX trunks (via circuit emulation) for voice. For more info: Contact Public Affairs, Optus Communications, OCS29 URL: http://redback.optus.com.au/optusnews/releases/atm260896.html ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu. 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A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #440 ******************************